The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Light at the End of the Tunnel (01/23/14)
Yes, There Is a Light,

When there is no solution, what do you do?
Growing old is a phenomena that is not easily studied. Not one person desires to see their life in retrospect? What have they accomplished, what did they do with their gifts from God, or where they are going now.

As a young or middle aged person, it is easy to rest on the accomplishments and gains you thought would always be there. You may say, “This is all there is and I made it”.

As you grow older, the ideas which you thought were exceptional, tarnished before your eyes. The people around you said your ideas and knowledge were gone by, they were no longer a good or an acceptable way of doing a job. “Get with it fellow, or you will be out in left field”. What a comment on your ability.

Those were the young crowd heckling you. Nothing like being shot down by your own co-workers. Now they are the ones the boss calls into the office to pick their brain for new and exciting ideas. “We want this business to stand out in the retail market. Lets face it, George, your way of doing things went out with the dark ages.”
By this time, you begin to notice the kids and grandkids don’t come to you for advice. “ You don’t really understand the way kids are now. You’re much too old fashioned. We need a car to get through high school. Everybody has a car, don’t you understand, this is the age of the kids! We rule the world.”

Going to Church used to be a real joy. But now, the music is so loud, you can’t hear yourself think. “Why do they have to dance around and work themselves into such a frenzy? You can’t even worship God in the noise. My heart used to sing with the hymns, and I could just picture myself communing with God. “

The crowning blow is when your wife breaks into your solitude, “I want to have the reception for our daughter’s wedding here. It will be a garden affair. However, our house is so worn out and the garden all dried up, that I am ashamed to have them over. You will have to repair every thing and have a gardener plant a beautiful garden, just for the wedding.”

“That was not the way we did things when we got married. We were lucky to have cake and ice cream in the church basement. Our parents couldn’t afford a fancy wedding and big reception, but we‘re still married.”

Why is it so hard to grow old? Why does the younger generation always drift away from the old folks? Why do we feel so alienated from life as the white hair on our head becomes the main source of ridicule, when it should be our crowning glory of wisdom?

Folks used to come to me for my opinion and knowledge. Now no one asks me for anything except, “I need some money.” Children were taught to respect the white haired generation and seek their wisdom.

Will there ever be a need for the white-haired children of God? Are we useless in this world? To be thrown out with the refuse? What good is the white – haired generation? What does God have to say about the older men?

God has certainly conferred dignity upon the heads of the elder statesmen. In Amos 2:28-32, He states that the old men shall dream dreams. Their dreams are to guide the younger men. In I Timothy 5:1-25, Paul tells Timothy about honoring the elders. God does comfort the Elder Generation by His word and by them feeling useful.

The exciting Word that God has given to us in His Scripture is in Rev.21:1¬-27. He tells of the New Jerusalem, where there will be no need for sun by day or moon by night, as the light of God will be on the streets of gold and there shall be no more tears! This is truly a great gift from God!

No matter how dark the problems may seem, in the end, all of our moaning and groaning about being useless, will fade away as we see the Light of God upon His Throne!
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 502 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Toni Babcock 
02/02/14
All of us older folks have a commission from God. Psalm 71: declares it, "I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD. I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."
Keep writing to declare the glories of the Lord - someday if not today - they will read.
C D Swanson 
02/04/14
I really liked this introspective views of growing older and the world's POV as we do.

Although the world may not be interested, God is...and that is all that matters. Your commentary and analogies were very apropos, and right on with the changing world. Things have changed, but how wonderful that God has not

And I was going to mention Psalm 71 also as the person above me did.

Great job, great writing, and great thoughts.

Thank you.

God bless you~